Combination cover and enclosure for christmas trees and other displays



Jan. 13, 1959 P. J. FANCHE R COMBINATION COVER AND ENCLOSURE FOR CHRISTMAS TREES AND OTHER DISPLAYS Filed Aug. 1, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. PczaZ Jafiepfz iilizckef Milka.

P. J. FANCHER COMBINATION COVE-R Jan. 13, 1959 2,868,255

AND ENCLOSURE FOR CHRISTMAS TREES AND OTHER DISPLAYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1957 INVENTOR. Paul Jame 9h imck f BY J nited 'COMBINATIUN CUV'ER AND ENCLOSURE FOR CHRISTMAS TREES AND OTHER DISPLAYS This invention relates to a combination cover and en closure for use in connection with Christmas trees, plants, flowers, window or other displays and the like.

One of the main object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple, practical cover and enclosure of flexible material, such as cloth, paper or the like, which may be utilized to cover surfaces and/ or objects beneath, or adjacent to the display, to catch shedding or other material dropping from the display, and prevent the same from dropping onto the surface and/or objects beneath, or adjacent to the display and soiling, damaging or detracting from the appearance of such surface and/or objects.

Another object is to provide a combination cover and enclosure of the foregoing character and having the utility set forth and which may be quickly and conveniently arranged as an enclosure, wrapper, or envelope, about the tree or other display for the purpose of carrying or transporting the same to or from the place of display without soiling or damaging, for example, walls, furniture, or objects along the path of movement to and from the place of display. 1

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure which will eliminate the problem of cleaning beneath and adjacent to the display while the object is on display and which will further eliminate the possibility of soiling or damaging other objects in setting up and disposing of the display.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure of the character described having an opening near the center to receive, for example, the trunk of a Christmas tree or other display, the cover and enclosure being formed outwardly of such opening to be placed over the floor, or carpet, or rug thereon, or over other objects, to catch needles shed by the tree, or other objects that may drop therefrom, such as ornaments, tinsel and the like, and the cover and enclosure is adapted to be drawn upwardly about the tree, or other display, and gathered at the top to form a protective enclosure for setting up or disposing of the display, or transporting same, for example, to and from another place, Without soiling or damaging walls, or other objects along the path of movement in such transportation of the display.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure which may be ornamented to provide any desired pleasing appearance when arranged in poistion beneath the base of the tree, or other display, or upon the floor, carpet or rug and/ or other objects.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure which may be utilized in the manner and for the purposes set forth and which has a flexible tab in proximity to the opening near the center of the cover and enclosure, which tab is provided with snap fastener means for fastening the central portion of the cover and enclosure, for example, about the trunk of the tree, and which has a further flexible tab in proximity to the outer margin of thecover and enclosure, which further tab is provided tates atet Efiiihifid Patented Jan. 13, 195% ICC 2 with snap fastener means for fastening the gathered outer margin of the cover and enclosure in closed position completely covering or enclosing the tree, or other display.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure of the character described, which, when used in connection with a Christmas tree mounted in a stand having a receptacle for water for the tree, will not interfere with, or prevent, introducing or adding water into such receptacle.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure of the character described, which may be formed of cloth, plastic material, heavy Kraft paper or other paper, or the like, treated so that it will be fire-proof and will not tear, and a cover and enclosure, which may be either of a form of disposable character so that it may be discarded with the tree, or other display, or of a form which may be retained for further use, if so desired.

Another object is to provide a cover and enclosure which may have a central ornamental cover portion for positioning beneath the tree or other object while on display and an enclosure portion extending from the cover portion and adapted to be tucked in or turned or rolled under the central cover portion at such time and which may be pulled out and drawn up over the tree or other object, completely to enclose the same for the purposes set forth.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure lis a perspective view showing one' form of combination cover and enclosure embodying the present invention as applied beneath a Christmas tree;

Figure 2 is a sectional view on larger scale than Figure l and taken on the line 2-2 of Figure l to show the stand and the manner in which the enclosure portion is tucked in beneath the cover portion;

Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the enclosure portion in enclosing position about the tree;

Figure 4 is a sectional view showing, on enlarged scale as compared with Figures 1-3, the cover and enclosure drawn out to open position to show the inner and outer sleeve-like portions and the tabs and fasteners for fastening the gathered portions thereof together about the trunk of the tree and above the top of the tree;

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Referring now to the drawings, the particular combination cover and enclosure selected for illustration comprises, in general, a cover portion 1 of circular form, as shown, or of any other desired configuration, and an enclosure portion lit shown of generally sleeve-like or tubular form.

The cover portion 1 and enclosure portion 10 are flexible and may be formed of cloth, plastic material, heavy Kraft or other paper, or the like, and are preferably treated so that they will be fire-proof. In this way, the combination cover and enclosure presents no fire hazard in use, and, when used over materials which are not fireproof, lessens thefire hazard.

The cover portion 1 has an opening 3 near the center thereof to receive, for example, the trunk 4 of a Christ-' mas tree, or other display, or object. is of a diameter considerably larger than the trunk 4 of the tree and stitched, or otherwise attached at 5 to the inner edge of the cover l marginally about. the opening 3 is a sleeve-like or tubular portion 6 of a diameter approximately that of the opening 3. Where, for example, the cover portion 1 is formed of cloth, the sleeve-like The opening 3 a portion 6 may be formed of a strip of cloth brought to tubular form and having its end edges stitched or otherwise secured together longitudinally along the scam I.

The cover portion 1 is preferably of an area completely to underlie the branches of the tree, shown diagrammatically at 3, and to extend outwardly beyond the body of the tree an amount sufiicient to afford the desired protection for the floor, carpent, rug or other surface over which the cover portion 1 is arranged.

Stitched or otherwise secured at 9 to the outer edge of the cover portion 1 is the generally sleeve-like or tubular enclosure portion 10. The enclosure portion 10 is preferably of generally tapered form with its smaller end of a diameter approximately that of the outer periphery ofthe cover portion 1 and stitched marginally there-- to. The enclosure portion 10 may be formed, for example, of a strip of cloth brought to the desired gen-- erally tubular form and having its edges stitched or otherwise secured together longitudinally along the seam 11.

When thus applied to the cover portion 1, the outer marginal portion of the generally sleeve-like or tubular enclosure 10 is open at 12.

Stitched or otherwise secured at 13 to the outer side of the inner sleeve-like portion 6 in proximity to the upper edge thereof, as shown in Figure 4, is a flexible tab 14 which may be formed of cloth or other material of which the combination cover and enclosure is formed. Secured, for example, to the outer side of the tab 14 at the inner end thereof and adjacent to where the tab 14 is stitched at 13 to the sleeve-like portion 6 is a snap fastener part 15. A complimentary snap fastener part 16 is secured to the opposite or inner side-of the tab 14 in proximity to the outer free end thereof. A piece of reinforcing material 17 may be provided between each fastener part and 16 and the tab 14.

Stitched or otherwise secured at 18 to the outer sleevelike enclosureportion 10 in proximity to the outer or open margin thereof, is a flexible tab 19 which may likewise be formed of cloth or other material of which the combination cover and enclosure is formed. Secured, for example, to the outer side of the tab 19 at the inner end thereof and adjacent to where the tab 19 is stitched at 18 to the sleeve-like portion 10 is a snap fastener part 20. A complementary snap fastener part 21 is secured to the opposite or inner side of the tab 19 in proximity to the outer free end thereof. A piece of reinforcing material 22 may be provided between each fastener part and 21 and the tab 19.

The upper surface of the cover portion 1 may be ornamented at 23 to provide an ornamental display beneath the tree .when placed in position to catch material that may drop from the tree. For ease of illustration the ornamentation is shown in the form of stars 23, but, it is to be understood that the particular form of the ornamentation may vary widely. For example, the oranmentation may be in the form of a manger scene around the base of the tree or may include depictions of reindeer, Santa Claus, angels, snow, or the ornamentation may be of a character to blend or harmonize with the room, or, in the broader aspects of the invention, the ornamentation. may be omitted.

Figure 2 shows one illustrative form of stand for the tree comprising connected bars or strips 24 of desired configuration and a metal receptacle or vessel 25 for water with a screw 26 for securing the trunk 4 of the tree in place in' the stand with its lower end in the water in the vessel 25.

In use the lower end of the trunk of the tree is inserted through the sleeve-like portion 6 which may then be gathered closely about the tree trunk 4. The tab 14 is then wrapped about the trunk 4 of the tree and the gathered portion of the sleeve-like portion 6 and thesnap fastener part 16 is pressed into engagement with the complementary snap fastener part 15 to secure the.

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(1 central portion of the cover portion 1 and more particularly the sleeve-like portion 6 carried by such cen tral portion to the trunk 4 of the tree as shown in Figure 5.

The enclosure portion 10 is then drawn upwardly about the branches of the tree and closely gathered together above the top of the tree, for example, at 28, as shown in Figure 3. The tab 19 is then wrapped about the gathered portion 28 of the enclosure portion 10 and the snap fastener part 21 is pressed into engagement with the complementary snap fastener part 20 to secure the gathered portion 28 together as shown in Figure 6, to. form a protective enclosure completely enclosing the branches of the tree.

All of the foregoing may be done, for example, in the basement, or on the porch, or at some place other than where the tree is to be set up for display. The covered tree may then be carried or transported to the place where it is to be set up without soiling or damaging, for

example, walls, furniture, or other objects along the path of movement and without dropping of needles, flock, or other substance from the tree onto the rugs, carpets, or other furnishings in the home.

When the tree is at the place where it is to be displayed, the stand 24 is arranged in place and the lower end of the trunk of the tree is inserted into the stand and secured in place, for example, by tightening the screw 26. As previously stated, where the stand includes a water receptacle the lower end of the trunk of the tree extends into such receptable for positioning in the water when the same is introduced into the receptacle.

In setting up the tree in the stand or before its trunk is inserted into the stand, the snap fastener part 21 is disengaged from the snap fastener part 20 and the enclosure portion 16) is opened and drawn downwardly from around the branches of the tree.

Then, with the trunk of the tree in the stand and the tree thus supported in upright position, the central or inner cover portion 1 may then be spread out over the stand and out over the floor or the carpet or rug thereon and extends outwardly beneath and beyond the horizontal extent of the branches of the tree. The cover portion 1 thus catches shedding needles, tinsel, ornaments, flock or other material which drops from the tree andprevents the same from dropping onto the floor or onto rugs, carpet, or other objects beneath the cover portion 1.

And where the upper surface of the cover portion 1 is ornamented, as described, an effective display is provided.

In laying the cover portion 1 out over the stand and the floor, or rug, carpet, or other furnishings, the en closure portion 10 is preferably tucked or rolled under or otherwise placed beneath the cover portion 1 and with in the outer periphery thereof, as shown, more or less diagrammatically in Figure 2. If desired, the enclosure portion 10' may be formed so that it may be extended from the cover portion 1 to increase the area of the floor coverage afforded by the combination cover and en closure when in use. Moreover, with the cover'portion 1 formed of fire-proof material, the enclosure portion 10 may, if desired, be formed of material which is not fire proof, since it will be protected, when tucked in beneath the cover portion 1, as shown in Figure 2 and need not be fire-proof when used in enclosing position about the tree 8.

As shown in Figure 2 the opening 3 in the cover 1 and the tubular portion 6 are preferably of diameter sulficiently larger than the diameter of the stand 24 to permit the fastener 16 to be released and the tubular portion 6 to be folded down for access to the receptacle 25 for the introduction or addition of water into the receptacle. to display the stand 24 the fastener 16 is released and the tubular portion 6 is folded down around the stand ,to expose the same. This is particularly suitable where Where it is desired not to conceal, but in fact,

there are flood lights at the stand or otherwise at the base of the tree, which of course, should not be covered. The folded down tubular portion 6 may even be tucked in beneath the inner periphery of the cover portion 1 when the cover portion 1 is in place on the floor or the like, as shown in Figure 2. With the tubular portion 6 thus folded down, obviously, it is free of the trunk of the tree, which may be rotated, for example, by gear connection to an electric motor, or other tree turning means, if so desired.

When the time comes to take down the tree, the ornaments, electric lights or other objects which are to be retained are removed from the tree. The enclosure portion 10 is drawn out and up over the tree and gathered and fastened at the top completely to enclose the tree, as previously described and the screw 26 is released and the trunk of the tree is removed from the stand.

The covered tree may then be carried or transported to the place where it is to be discarded, without soiling or damaging, for example, walls, furniture, or other objects along the path of movement and without dropping of substances or material from the tree onto the rugs, carpets or other furnishings, as previously described in connection with the setting up of the tree.

Where the combination cover and enclosure of the present invention is formed, for example, of relatively inexpensive fire-proof paper or other disposable material, it need not be removed from the tree at the place it is discarded, but may be discarded with the tree. Where, however, the cover and enclosure, is of more expensive form or in any event it may be removed from the tree, as previously described, and retained for future use.

The cover and enclosure is preferably treated to render the same fire-proof, but similar covers which are not fire-proof and for use with displays other than Christmas trees are contemplated within the scope of the broader aspects of the present invention.

Accordingly, the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and the use described herein are for illustrative purposes only and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings and the accompanying specification are not to be construed as a definition of the limits or scope of the invention, reference being had to the appended claims for that purpose.

I claim:

1. A combination cover and enclosure for Christmas trees and other displays comprising a cover portion having an opening near the center thereof to receive the trunk of the tree and of a dimension and configuration to extend outwardly beneath the branches of the tree to catch material which may drop therefrom, an enclosure portion extending from said cover portion and of a dimension and configuration to be drawn up over the branches of the tree and gathered together at the top completely to enclose the tree, first fastener means in proximity to said opening in said cover portion for fastening the central portion of said cover and enclosure about the trunk of the tree and beneath the branches thereof, and second fastener means in proximity to the outer margin of said enclosure portion for fastening the gathered outer margin of the cover and Wrapper in closed position about the top of the tree.

2. A combination cover and enclosure according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener means is carried by a flexible tab adapted to be wrapped and secured about the trunk of the tree and said second fastener means is it carried by a flexible tab adapted to be wrapped and secured about the gathered outer margin of the enclosure at the top of the tree.

3. A combination cover and enclosure according to claim 1 wherein there is a sleeve-like portion secured at its lower end to the cover portion marginally about the opening near the center of said cover portion and with the upper end of which said first fastening means is associated, said sleeve-like portion being of a diameter sufliciently larger than the diameter of a stand and receptacle for the trunk of the tree to permit said sleevelike portion to be folded down for access to the receptacle upon release of said fastening means.

4. A combination cover and enclosure for a display comprising a flexible cover portion of a dimension and configuration to extend outwardly beneath the bottom of the display to catch material which may drop from the display and a flexible enclosure portion extending from said cover portion, said enclosure portion being adapted to be drawn up over the display and having an outer margin adapted to be gathered together above the top of the display completely to enclose the same, and snap fastener means in proximity to the outer margin of said enclosure portion for fastening the gathered outer margin of said cover and enclosure in closed position about the top of the display.

5. A combination cover and enclosure according to claim 4 wherein the cover portion has fastener means near the center thereof for fastening the central portion of the cover and enclosure to the bottom of the display.

6. A cover and enclosure for Christmas trees and the like comprising a cover having an opening near the center thereof and adapted to be spread out beneath the tree, a first sleeve-like portion secured at its lower end to said cover marginally about said opening and adapted to pass over and to be gathered about the trunk of the tree, a first flexible tab secured to said first sleeve-like portion and adapted to be wrapped about the gathered portion of said first sleeve-like portion, snap fastener means carried by said first tab and adapted to be engaged to secure the cover to the trunk of the tree, said enclo sure comprising a second sleeve-like portion secured at its lower end to the outer periphery of said cover and adapted to be drawn up about the tree to enclose same and to be gathered together above the top of the tree, said second sleeve-like portion being adapted in use to be tucked under said cover and substantially within the periphery thereof, a second flexible tab secured to said second sleeve-like portion and adapted to be Wrapped about the gathered portion of said second sleeve-like portion above the top of the tree, and snap fastener means carried by said second tab and adapted to be engaged to secure said second tab about the gathered portion of said second sleeve-like portion and said second sleeve-like portion in position enclosing the tree.

7. A- combination cover and enclosure according to claim 6 wherein said opening near the center of said cover portion and said first sleeve-like portion are of diameter sufiiciently large to permit said first sleeve-like portion to be folded down over a stand for the tree to expose said stand.

Sourek Nov. 25, 1952 Dilar et a1. Feb. 19, 1957 

